Rig count drops by 1

HOUSTON — Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. said the number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped by one for a second consecutive week to settle at 1,761.

The Houston-based company said in its weekly report Friday that 1,323 rigs were exploring for oil and 434 for gas. Four were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, Baker Hughes counted 1,987 working rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Pennsylvania lost six rigs while Colorado and Texas each dropped two. Arkansas and New Mexico remained unchanged.

West Virginia added one rig. Louisiana gained five rigs, Oklahoma four and Alaska two. California, North Dakota and Wyoming each gained one rig.